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PROCEEDINGS, 

AND 

ADDRESS 

OF THE 

CONVENTION OF DELEGATES, 

That met at Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 28, 1827, 

TO NOMINATE 

A TIOZST OP ELpOTORS 

FAVORABLE TO THE BEELECTION OF J(^HN QUINCY AIFiM^ 

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 


TO JJE SUPPORTED AT THE ELECTORAL ELECTION OF 1B2BV 


PRINTED BY P. II. OLJfSTED. 


1827. 



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ADHimSTHiLTIOH OOHYEMTICIT. 

FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 182r. 

Agreeably to previous arrangement, Delegates favourable to the 
re-election of John Q,uincv Adams, to the office of President of the 
United States, met at the Court House in Columbus, for the purpose of 
forming an Electoral ticket, to be supported by the friends of the present 
administration, in the state of Ohio, at the approaching Presidential 
election. Upon calling the list of counties, Delegates appeared from 
the following counties, viz: 

DELEGATES PRESENT. 

From the county of Adams —James Rogers, Joseph Riggs, 

Athens —Henry Bartlett, John Brown, 2d, Daniel Stewart, Calvary 
Morris. 

Ashtabula— F. Atkins. 

Butler —Joel Collins, James Heaton, William D. Jones. 

Belmont —William M’Neely, Henry Howard, William B. Hubb&rdv 
James Wier. 

Brown —Nathaniel Beasley. 

Clermont —Thomas Gatch. 

Champaign —Edward L. Morgan, Benjamin Chaney, Samuel M’Cord, 
John Dougherty, James Dallas, A. R. Caldwell. 

Clinton —Nathan Linton, Eli Gaskill, Richard Fallis. 

Coshocton —Wm. Carhartt, Samuel Lee, James Robinson, 

Columbiana —Elderkin Potter, De Lorma Brooks, Albert G. Richard* 
son. 

Cuyahoga —Reuben Wood, Alfred Kelly. 

Clark —John Dougherty, Charles P. Anthony, James Foley, Samuel 
Lafferty, Robert Turner, Stephen Kitchen. 

Cra vford —Joseph Chaffee, Wm. Walker. 

Delaware —Wm. S Drake, Charles Carpenter, Leonard H. Cowles. 

Dark —John Armstrong, Joel Wood. 

Franklin —Gustavus Swan, Anrory Buttles. 

Fayette —Jesse Millikan, James Stewart, Thomas M’Garraugh, Henry 
Core. 

Fairfield —Thomas Ewing, John Leist, Jacob Rush, Jacob Claypool, 
William Trimble, John Cofiman, George Beery, William Coalstoo;, 
John Creed. 

Green — James Galloway, Jun. Robert Dobbins, Robert Gowdy, Wm 
Elsbery. 


4 


Guernsey —Thomas Hannah, Robert B. Moore, William Skinner, 
Wm. VV. Tracy, James M. Bell. 

Geauga —Samuel Wheeler, Charles C. Paine, Solomon Kingsbery. 

Hamilton —Charles Hammond, Samuel W. Davies, Daniel Gano, 
John Matson, Patrick Smith, Elnathan Kemper, Wm. Carey, Bellamy 
Storer, N. G. Pendleton, Charles G. Swain, Nathaniel Crookshank^ 
Wm. Barnes, Jarvis Kibby, David K. Este, Septimus Hazen, Henry 
Starr, Wm H. Harrison, Jr. Daniel 1. Caswell, ( harles Fox, 

Highland —Joseph Swearingen, George W. Barrere. 

Licking —Robert Davidson, Chancey Humphrey, A H. Caffec; 

Lorain —Reuben Woori, Josiah Harris, Eliphalet Reddington. 

Lawrence —Elijah Frampton. 

Logan —Samuel Newell, Alexander Long, Daniel M. Workmaa,, 
Koan Z. M’Culloch, Robert Patterson, Jacob R. Hall. 

Montgomery —Alexander Grimes, John Stump, Stephen Fales, Geo. 
B. Holt. 

Miami' —John Johnson, Asa Coleman, Isaac Hendershot, Martin Simp¬ 
son, Zachariah Reily. 

Harrison —William Tingley, Horace Belknap. 

Huron —Moses C. Sanders, David Campbell. 

Hocking —Joseph Westonhaver, Amos G. Bright. 

Jefferson—John Andrew's. 

Jackson —A. M. Faulkner. 

Knox —Samuel Mott, James Miller, James H. Patterson, William Be^ 
vans. Hosmer Curtis, Jacob Houck. 

Madison —Philip Lewis, Joseph M’Elfish, John B. Croney, Joseph 
Chrisman, Stephen Moore, Aquilla Toland, John W. Simpkins, James 
Bu.nh (m, Reuben P. Mann. 

Muskingum—Joseph Springer, George W. Cass, Matthew Gillispie, 
Eiiniss Wheaton, William 11. Moore. 

Monroe —Thomas Weston. 

Morgan —P. B. Johnson, R. A. Pinkerton, Edwin Corner. 

Medina—James Moore. 

Aleigs —Andrew Donnally. 

Mercer —Joel Wood. 

Marion —Eber Baker, Charles L. Bolt. 

Preble —David F. Heaton, J. M. H. M’Nutt, John G. Jameson, Elisha 
Egbert, James Dennison. 

Pike —Eskridge Hall, William Blackstone. 

Pickaway —John Barr, Samuel Lybrand,Guy W. Doan, Edward Wil¬ 
liams, Peter Parcels, Isaac Radclitle, John Cochran, Samuel S. Denny, 
William B. 'I'hrall, B. Z. B. Doddridge. 

Portage —L. V. Bierce. 

Perry —John Combs, William P. Darst, Peter Odlin. 

Ross —Duncan M’Arthur. Abraham Claypool, George Renick, David 
Crouse, Isaac M’Crackin, George Will, George Stanhope, Joseph Rock- 
hold, William Brown. 

RicA/and—James Heaey, James Hedges, 


5 


SctVo—-William Kendall. 

Stark —James W. Lathrop, John Augustine, 

Shelby —William Fielding. 

Seyieca —Agreen Ingraham, Joslali Hedges. 

Sandusky —Samuel AT. Lockwood. 

' Tuscarawas —James Patrick, Boaz M. Atherton, Samuel Dunlap. 

Trumbull —Simon Perkins, Rufus F. Spaulding. 

Union —Reuben F. Mann, Amos A. Williams. , 

Vanwert and Mercer —Joel Wood. ^ 

Warren —Jeremiah Morrow, George J. Smith, William A. Camron 
John Hopkins, Thomas Corwin. 

Washington —David Futnara, Arius Nye, William Fi. Putnam. 

Wayne —Cyrus Spink, Thomas M’Millan, 

Wood^nd Hancock —Thomas W. Powell, Thomas R.*M’Knight. 

The Convention, on motion, proceeded to the appointment of a Chaiiv 
man, when Jeremiah Morrow, Esq. of Warren county, was unanimous¬ 
ly chosen; Whereupon, Mr Morrow took the chair; and on motion, 
Doherty^ 0 ^ Franklin county, and Thomas Corwin, of Warren county, 
were appointed Secretaries. 

On motion of General M'Arthur, of Ross county, the following resolu¬ 
tion was adopted: 

Resolved, Th:.it a committee of sixteen members be appointed by the 
Chairman, to prepare and report an Address and Resolutions, touching 
the object of this Convention. 

Agreeably to which resolution, tlie Chairman annoijneed the follow¬ 
ing gentlemen as composing said committee, viz: 

Duncan M’Artliur,Charles Hammond, Thomas Ewing, Samuel WheeL 
er, Elderkin Potter, James Patrick, Gustavus Swan, William R. Putnam, 
William B. fPibbard, George J. Smith, Q,uintus F. Atkins, Nathan Lin¬ 
ton, James Galloway, jr. Stephen Fales, Alfred Kelly, and Charles G. 
Swain. 

Col. James Robinson, of Coshocton county, offered a resolution, which, 
on motion of Mr Powell, of Wood county, and xMr Curtis, ofKnox county, 
was amended and then adopted, as follows: 

Resolved, That a committee, consisting of fourteen Delegates, one 
from each Congressional District, be appointed to receive from the 
Delegation of each Congressional District, the nomination of a suitable 
candidate for Elector; and should no nomination be made by the Dele¬ 
gates, that said committee nominate such candidate or candidates to this 
meeting; and further, that they shall nominate the two additional Elect¬ 
ors to which this State is entitled. 

On motion of Mr Kelley, the Chairman was authorized to appoint the 
last mentioned committee: Whereupon, the Chairman appointed the 
following gentlemen fc compose the same, to wit: 

From the 8th Congressional District, Col. James Robinsoa. 

1st do. do. Thomas Gatch. 

2d do, do. J&^es Heaton* 

I ' ' ‘ ' 




M 

do. 

do. 

John John^oii,. 

4th 

do. 

do. 

Charles Anthony. 

6th 

do*. 

do.- 

Nathaniel Beaslet, 

fith 

do. 

do. 

John Barr. 

7th 

do. 

do. 

Henry Bartlett. 

9th 

do. 

do. 

William H. MoorC; 

loth 

do. 

do. 

William Skinner. 

llth 

do. 

do. 

William Tingle}’. 

12th 

do. 

do. 

Thomas M'Millan. 

13 th 

flO. 

do. 

Simon Perkins. 

14th 

do. 

do. 

P^euben Wood. 


Whereupon, <yQ motioTi, the Convcr4tion adjourned until four o’'clocli.j 
this evening-. 

i 


FOUR O’CLOCK, P. M. 

The ©onveDtiori aj^in assembled, when Gen. D. M’Arthur, from the 
committee appointed for that purpose, reported a Preamble, Resolutioirs 
and Address, which were read, and the Resolutions Preamble and Ad- 
dress were severally considered, and unanimously adopted, as follows - 

Wjiereas this Convention has been called into existence and organized 
for the purpose of nominating a Ticket of Electors favorable to the 
re-election of John (Quincy Adams, as President of the United States, 
to be supported at the Electoral Election of November, 18:^8, in the 
State of Ohio; find whereas it is considered proj er that this Con¬ 
tention should express an opinion upon matters of public policy, con¬ 
nected with the present administration of the National Government: 
Therefore, 

Resolved, As the sense of this Convention, That the present Adminis 
i^ration h;ive prudently and wisely pursued the policy of their prede¬ 
cessors, both with respect to our domestic and foreign relations; and 
that the general prosperity of the nation is evidence of the correctnee? 
and wisdom of their measures. 

Resolved, That it is equally unwise and unjust to change the public 
functionaries of Government, upon the ground of personal preference 
alone; unwise, because it endangers the public good, without any equiv¬ 
alent correspondent advantage; unjust, because it reflects censure upon 
the conduct of public men. without foundation, and thus destroys the 
strongest incentive to patriotic action. 

Resolved, That this Convention entertain a high sense of the integrity, 
talents and patriotism, of John Quincy Adams, President of the United 
States, and are firmly persuaded that his re-election as President, wiU 
tend to promote the general interests of the whole Union. 

Resolved, 1 hat this Convention regard the charge urged against tlije 
President and S.ecretary of State, ot a corrupt coalitiou, by which one 


4 


was elected President and the other placed in the Cahineit, as a scandal- \ 

ous imputation upon our country and institutions, alike unsupported by ^ 

evidence, unworthy of belief, and discreditable to all who give it count- \ 

enance. ^ ^ 

Resolved.^ That this Convention entertain the highest respect for the I 

just views of our national policy explained and recommended in the late * 


Report of the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, upon the i 

subject of a National Tariff; and hereby express an earnest hope, that ^ 

our members of Congress will omit no exertions to obtain legislative pro¬ 
tection for the objects recommended in said Report. 


ADDHESS. 

PELLOW-CITIZENS:—As we have assembled together for the pur¬ 
pose of consultation, upon public concerns, it seems proper that the 
grounds upon which we have proceeded, as well as the result of our de¬ 
liberations, should he laid before you. 

Previous to the achievement of our independence and the establish¬ 
ment of our free institutions, the history of nations had exhibited little 
but a recapitulation of the follies and the crimes of men, committed 
against each other, in a contest between the oppressor and the oppressed. 
But when we took a place amongst the nations of the world, it was 
hoped that man would exhibit a more just and rational character, and 
khat we should present an example at once to be admired and imitated. 
It was believe^J that by referring the authority of all government to its 
legitimate source, in the people to be governed; by proscribing all titu¬ 
lar distiuctioi^; by limiting the terms of executive and legislative office? 
tf) short periods; by basing them on popular election; by subjecting the 
military to the civil power; by securing the liberty of speech and of the 
press; and by inhibiting the government from assuming controul in mat¬ 
ters of religious concern, the inherent vices of former governments were 
eradicated from our system. The results of these provisions, it was 
hoped, by most of our countrymen, would present such a state of things^ 
that amongst us, a contest for authority would be nothing more than a 
laudable emulation, who should do the most public good. A very short 
experience disappointed this hope; and the progress of our government 
and history.have given too much reason to fear that, like all former ef¬ 
forts of human wisdom, our free institutions, and the intellii^ence and 
means of happiness which they secure, contain within themselves the 
causes that must one day occasion their destruction. 

At the present moment we are in peace and amity with all nations, 
enjoying too the confidence and respect of all. We are secure, as a 
' . people, of every blessing that reasonable men can hope to enjoy. Pros- 
j perity and plenty surround us. The hand o^Government never touches 
us, but to promote the general good. We are advancing in wealth, im- 
j provem^^nt and general intelligence, with a rapidity heretofore un- 






8 


known. TI>e enthusiasts of times past would have regarded what 
with us are facts of eommon occurrence, as things too visionary for ra¬ 
tional speculation; yet are we, amongst ourselves, a divided and dis-. 
tracted people. Jnst-ead ot cultivating mutual harmony and good will, 
instead of muttial respect and forbearance towards each other; insteadx 
of devotional thanks and gratitude for the blessings we enjoy, vve ex¬ 
hibit the passions of tierce and furious combattants. We indulge the 
most ungenerous suspicions, we utter the most degrading accusations^ 
■vye harbour doubts and jealousies, we set our minds to counteract and 
defeat the public measures of each other. We act as men in the pur¬ 
suit of different and adverse objects, and we lose sight of the public good 
in the struggle for victory over one another. These are mischiefs of 
recent origin and of rapid growth amongst the people of Ohio. It 
becomes us to ascertain, if possible, their source, and the means by which 
they have acquired their present magnitude. 

Before the Presidential canvass that preceded the last election of 
the National Executive, the citizens of Ohio were united in opinion up¬ 
on questions of national policy. From the date of their state govern¬ 
ment they had given a steady and almost unanimous support to the ad¬ 
ministrations of Jefferson, IMadison and Monroe. Their Congressional 
Kepreserrtation and their Legislature at home, had seldom differed up¬ 
on any question of general concern. When the names of s<»veral distin¬ 
guished men, all of whom had been respected and esteemed for public 
services, were presented as candidates for the Presidency? diversity of 
opinion with respect to their claims and qualifications, was to be expect¬ 
ed. It was unavoidable that heats should arise during the canvass.— 
r>ut as the same object was avowed by all, and all declared their inten¬ 
tion to promote the same measures, there was no reason to apprehend 
that the strife would continue after the contest was ended. iJuty, the 
common interest, a decent respect fir each other all forbade it. 

'I'he state of things that existed rendered it certain, that, whoever 
might be elected Fhesident, a respectable and numerous portion of the 
electors must be disappointed; and when the final election w’as cast up¬ 
on the House of Representatives in Congress, there could be no doubt 
but that the President elect vvould not be the first choice of a majority 
of the nation, 'fhe duty of selecting that devolved upon the House of 
Piepresentatives was both arduous and delicate, in respect to themselves; 
but in respect to the people it was less important. 'Phe division of pub¬ 
lic suffrage which prevented an election, evidenced a strong degree of 
confidence in the gentlemen from whom the choice was to be made. 
Wiioever might be preferred would enter up>on the duties of the office 
w'ith many claims upon the public indulgence. Besides the support of 
bis original friends, he would he justly entitled to the candid consider¬ 
ation of the whole country, until he should forfeit it by some act of his 
own. 

This claim had its foundation in the circumstances of his Election, 
which must necessarily, after the failure to make a choice by the elec¬ 
tors, be the result of compromise and concession. An adherence by 
ti:e friends of each candidate to their original preference, would inevita 


V 


I 


9 


bly tend to prevent any choice, and besides the engendering of vanous 
strifes, might involve the country in unforeseen disasters. To effect the 
necessary compromises and make an election without the excitement of 
protracted balloting, were solemn duties, pressing strongly u[)on the 
patrif^tism of all the parties, and w'hen effected, should have been re¬ 
ceived as the joint act of all, binding all to a liberal and magnani«n)us 
acquiescence. It was, in a departure from this plain course of correct 
proceeding, that our present unhappy divisions have principally origi¬ 
nated 

Mr Clay, who received the electoral vote of Ohio, w’rs excluded from 
the consideration of the House, and consequently the vote of himself 
and his friends must be given to one of the other candidates. T hey 
gave a preference to Mr Adams, and he was elected. There were 
many reasons obvious to the plainest understanding, that strongly indi¬ 
cated the propriety of offering to Mr Clay the first station in the cabi 
net. The Western States, which had grown rapidly into importance, 
and which had deep and varied interests at stake, might justly claim 
that station for a western man. Mr Clay's superior pretensions and 
qualifications for the office were undisputed. His extensive knowledge 
of public affairs, and especially of western interests, made it manifest 
that his aid must be very desirable to any President, who entertained a 
good feeling for the West. His well known devotion to the protection 
of the domestic industry of the country, and to the extension of interna¬ 
tional facilities for commerce, by means of roads and canals, could not 
fail to make his appointment acceptable to the friends of those mea¬ 
sures a// over the country. There was a magnanimity in offering this 
confidential station to a recent opponent, which well became the charac¬ 
ter of Mr Adams. There was a republican self devotion in accepting 
ft, peculiar to the whole conduct of Mr Clay. In short, there were per¬ 
sonal proprieties and public advantages, in making this appointment, 
which the -simplest understanding could not overlook. And, what was 
in its nature so proper and therefore so likely to take place, was seized 
upon, in a moment of excitement, and made the foundation of a most 
extraordinary course of proceeding. The fact, that Mr Clay and his 
friends gave their votes to Mr Adams, was denounced as the result ofa 
bargain between them, and has been made the foundation, upon which 
the present distractions in our country are based, supported and ex¬ 
tended, The charge was uttered so soon as it was ascertained to whom 
Mr Clay and his friends viould give their votes; and the subsequent 
taking effect, of what was too palpable to mistake, is urged as full and 
conclusive'evidence that the’acciisation is true. 

We have asserted that all should have acquiesced in| the Section 
of Mr Adams, until he had, by some act or measure of his adminis¬ 
tration, evinced that he was regardless of the common good. Had the 
choice fallen on General Jackson, or on Mr Crawtord, the path 6f duty 
would have been the same', and we, who now support Mr Adams’ ad¬ 
ministration, are fully persuaded vve would have accorded equal sup¬ 
port to either of his competitors. Their supporters have unforturnate- 
fy adopted a different course. Lashing themselves into fury, in the mc^- 


1 



ment of disappointment, it seems to us they have forgotten theiT coun¬ 
try, in their devotion to the promotion of a fellow citizen. Jt is not 
our wish to cast out any ungenerous accusations, but to proceed in a 
candid exposition of the events which have occasioned our present con¬ 
dition. 

The supporters of General Jackson assumed that he was the choice 
of a majority of the people, because he obtained a plurality of elec¬ 
toral votes. They forgot that he obtained three votes in Louisiana, 
and the whole vote of North Carolina .upon a compromise with, and 
through the aid of the friends of Mr Adams. They forgot that he 
received part of the vote of Maryland, apd the whole vote of New-Jer- 
sey upon a compromise with the friends of Mr Crawford. We do noi 
allege that these compromises were incorrect; much less that they 
w^ere currupt. We only refer to them as proof that it is at least 
equivocal, whether the plurality of his electoral vote, evidences that a 
plurality of the people then preferred him to Mr Adams. 

There is evidently no correctness in the assumption that a plurality 
of electoral votes gives any claim to preference, when the election is 
brought into the House. The Constitution itself contains a decisive re¬ 
futation of such a pretension. Had it been intended that a plurality of 
electoral votes should be at all regarded, in the decision, it would at 
once have been provided, that a person having a plurality of votes 
should be President; and the House of Representatives would not have 
been made aarents to perform the mere ceremony of voting for Presi¬ 
dent, without any discretion to prefer one candidate, or reject another. 
This was so understood by all. Even in the very election ia question, 
four states, three of which are now active opponents of the administra¬ 
tion, gave their votes to Mr Crawford, who did not receive halfso many 
electoral votes as General Jackson. They have not been accused of 
corrupt motives, or of violating their duty to the people. On the contra- 
ry many of those, who gave this vote, are in close alliance with those 
who are loudest in their condemnation of the principle. But ground¬ 
ing themselves upon this plurality, the supporters of Gen. Jackson 
claimed that he was entitled to the Presidency, and deprived of it by 
corrupt and profligate means. They accordingly proclaimed him a 
candidate for election, in 1828, before any trial had been made of the 
administration to be conducted by Mr Adams; and without waiting to 
inquire whether the general interests would be promoted, have taken 
their measures to insure the election of their favorite candidate. The 
efforts which have been made, to effect this object, are the means that 
have produced the present unfortunate state of things. 

it cannot be too much regretted, that an unadvised letter, written by 
Gen. Jackson to an indiscreet friend, who published it, gave much en¬ 
couragement to the unthinking and violent of his supporters, in or¬ 
ganizing immediately a system of measures, to promote him to the 
Presidency, in 1828. The sentiments elicited, by the publication of 
that letter, seem to have drawn the General from the more correct and 
patriotic course, which his own feelings first dictated, and, unfortunately 
for his own fame and for his country’s good, have made him the chief 




11 


of a combination, who are seeking to put down an administration suC’ 
cessfully and faithfully pursuing the footsteps of those which have pre¬ 
ceded it. For it must be admitted that no change has been at empted, 
jn either our foreign or domestic lelations. All the public measures! 
previously commenced and in progress, have been assiduously j rose- 
cuted; some to a successful termination, some otherwise, and some re¬ 
main undetermined. 

No time was taken to test the merits of the new administration by its 
measures. On the contrary, it was instantly assailed, with the most vio¬ 
lent obloquy and reproaches, by the principal presses that sustained 
the pretensions of Gen. Jackson. During the first session of Congress 
coeval with the new Executive, a systematic hostility displayed itself 
in both branches of that body, which was followed with increased vio¬ 
lence amongst partizan editors. And, in August 1826, a primary assem¬ 
bly of the people was convened in Philadelphia, for the purpose of as¬ 
serting the claims of Gen. Jackson, and proclaiming the alleged de¬ 
merits of those who were at the head of the Executive Government. 
But it was found that distrust had not yet been sufficiently diffused 
through the country, and the agency of active spirits, concentrated at 
Washington, was still necessary to consummate their operations. At that 
place, during the last session of Congress, the combination was finally 
organized and its plan of attack concerted. Early in the last spring a 
systematic appeal to the people was commenced, by calling ’them to 
town and county meetings, where they were inflamed with violent 
speeches, and made parties to the most ungenerous and unfounded de¬ 
nunciations, against those who managed the affairs of the National Gov¬ 
ernment, and all who gave them support. Baltimore was the first 
scene of action, from which the movements have extended through the 
state of Maryland, into Ohio, and have gradually advanced over the 
whole middle and part of the western states, especially over Kentucky 
and Ohio. This extraordinary course of proceeding, on the part of 
those who oppose the administration, has rendered measures of coun¬ 
teraction indispensable, and has forced us, in defence of what we deem 
sound policy and correct principles, to make corresponding exertions, 
in the view, then, which we have taken of the causes that have produc¬ 
ed and inflamed the present contest, we are induced to conclude that 
they are attributable to the unwise and anti-patriotic proceedings of 
those of our countrymen who have yielded themselves too much to the 
influence of their feelings, and the indulgence of personal predilections, 
and too little to the dictates of a respectful deference for the opinions of 
their fellow citizens, and a proper estimation of the public functiona¬ 
ries of their country. 

We have already noticed the considerations of propriety that called for 
a prompt compromise of the pretensions of the competitors for the Pres¬ 
idency, when the selection devolved on Congress: we have adverted too, 
to the prominent public reasons that required the appointment of Mr Clay 
to the head of the State Department. The unfounded and ungenerous 
accusations which have b^en predicated upon these natural and proper 
arrangement?, cannot be too much reprobated. No doctrine can be more 



absurd in principle, or mischievous in practice, than that a successful par¬ 
ty must be excluded from confidence and trust, by the party that united 
with them to secure their success. It is based upon a meanness of sus¬ 
picion that IS intolerable, attributing to sordid and selfish motive, what, 
with much better reason, might be supposed to have proceeded from 
feelings of devoted patriotism. It assurnee that an avowal of confidence, 
on one side, necessarily calls for contumely and neglect on the other, as 
the onl} mearjs of negativing the suggestion of corrupt arrangement. 
7’hus, its first tendency is to discard from the public employment, the 
magnanimous spirits, who are most ready to sacrifice their private and 
personal preferences, upon the altar of their country’s wellfare.— 
Whether we regard the qualifications of Mr Adams for the office in 
question, his public experience, or the general confidence reposed in 
him by the country, or place all these in comparison with the same 
claims on the part of his principal competitor, we can see no reasons to 
insist that Gen. Jackson ought to have been preferred, which other 
minds, equally patriotic and intelligent, could not have urged in support 
of Mr Adams’ pretensions. And, in these circumstances, to charge the 
election of either to improper motives, and to assail them upon that 
ground, would be justly reprehensible. 7’he accusations, founded upon 
what took place, seems to us so alien to honorable minds, so destitute of 
probability, so unsupported by facts, and kept alive by such perversions 
of the common rules for ascertaining truth, that we cannot but consider 
them the monstrous conceptions of misguided and distempered under¬ 
standings; in which faction has ever been engendered, and by which 
artful ajid aesigning men have, in all ages of the world, succeeded in de¬ 
luding their well meaning and credulous countrymen. 

That we are warranted in tracing the present unhappy divisions that 
distract us, to the causes we have assigned, may be further made mani¬ 
fest, by a reference to many notorious facts, that cannot and will not 
be controverted. We shall content ourselves by stating a few illustra¬ 
tions of what has occurred in our own state, and under our own observa¬ 
tions. 

In seeking for causes of dissatisfaction against the National Administra¬ 
tion, the opposition politicians of Ohio, have evidenced an extrordinary 
sympathy of feeling, with those of a different section of the Union, 
towards whom, at other times, a totally different sentiment prevailed. 
These are of such an uncommon character that we can only believe 
those who express them sincere, by supposing that they have totally 
changed their principles. 

T’hey united'heart and voice, in condemning the nomination of minis¬ 
ters to the Congress of the South American Republics, commonly called 
the Panama Mission. Until this measure was denounced in Congress, 
the whole nation had expressed a lively interest, in the success and 
prosperity of what were then called the Sister Republics. 7’hey 
were the theme of popular declamation, and subject of convivial 
commendation. But since the nomination of the ministers referred 
to, thev have ceased to be in favor with the opposition at home. They 
are no longer appiauueu or toasiea' Tiiey are viewed with cold neg- 



iect, or made the sbjects of sneers and sarcasms. Blay we not 
ask, without giving cause of offence, whether any thing, but a I’eoling 
somewhat allied to faction, could produce, such sudden revulsion of sen¬ 
timent towards strangers, whom we had once approved, aTid who con¬ 
tinued anxious to preserve our good opinions? 

So, in the difficulty with England, respecting the colonial trade. Ma¬ 
ny who had stood by their own government, in evil and in good report: 
who had for years professed to understand and condemn the seliisii pol¬ 
icy of the Brilish Cabinet, almost instantly shifted ihei; .ground. With 
them England changed her character, She bec ame just and liberal; 
their own government sunk into imbecility and erior. 

In the commencement of his administration, M r Aidams made the ex¬ 
ecutive appointments upon the rule laid down b> Mi\ Jefferson, as well 
adapted to the then existing state of things, tie inquired only, “is he 
honest? Is he capable! is he faithful to the Constitution?” For acting- 
upon this principle, he was denounced as attempting to buy himself sup¬ 
port. At a subsequent period, the Secretary of State ceased to employ, 
as printers of the laws, Editors, who opposed the administration, and 
preferred those who supported it. A clamor was instantly raised, that 
he used the government patronage to reward adherents, and withheld 
it, to punish independence of action. 

The Cumberland Road, a public improvement in which the west is 
particularly interested, was constructed, in part, at the expense of Ohio, 
Indiana and Illinois; in part at the expense of the nation at large. It 
constituted at once a facility of intercourse and a bond of union. Thro’ 
the influence of those, who now support Gen. Jackson for the Presiden¬ 
cy, the means of keeping it in repair have been refused, and it is now 
in a state of ruinous dilapidation. Although our own politicians have 
not actually contributed their aid to produce these results, they have 
vindicated those who were principal agents in producing them, and con¬ 
tinue to give them their support and countenance. 

But, in nothing has thi extraordinary waywardness of opinion been 
so strongly evinced, as in the conduct of Ohio opposition politicians, on 
the subject of protecting the national industry. During the late can¬ 
vass, those who now oppose the Administration were open and loud in 
their protestations of devotion to the manufacturing interests, as being 
intimately connected with the prosperity of every other. None were 
ao vehement in the condemnation of southern policy, and in reprobating 
an association with southern men. A suspicion of attachment to, or res¬ 
pect for Mr Crawford, who was regarded as the southern candidate, 
was looked upon as a most heneous political sin. Some of our best men 
were loudly denounced for this supposed offence. Now, we see those 
who condemned them, closely associated with the principal politicians 
of the south, courting their good opinion and earnestly inculcating their 
doctrines. 

The effort, at the last session of Congress, to obtain some increased 
protection for the growth and manufacture of wool, was first opposed by 
many leaders of the opposition,.and finally proscribed as an attempt to 
rast the apple of discord into the community. The exertions which 


u 


haveVe^n made, throagh the summer, to unite the friends of the pw/" 
tecting: System, to collect information, and concentrate their action, bav,^; 
been di$counten<uiced and assailed as factious in their origin and object. 
Because the friends of the Administiation remained true to the prin¬ 
ciples, which determined their preference, in electing the President, 
the Administration itself has been openly accused of giving its support 
to this system of policy, for selfish and party purposes. And when, that 
so just reason should be given to countenance this suggestion, the Presi¬ 
dent, in his annual message, omitted to press it upon Congress, leaving 
it to stand upon its own claims, and the statements of the appropriate 
department, the ^mission is seized upon and urged as proof ot his indif- 
feience to the very interest, which it was denounced factious for him to 
recommend!! 

Our owm State Executive, still retaining the opinions which were re- 
* cently professed by all, takes the occasion presented by his Address to 
the Legislature, at the commencement of the session, to explain his 
views upon this important department of domestic economy and of con¬ 
stitutional power; immediately the opposition condemn both the mes¬ 
sage and the officer, in such terms as have never before been applied to 
any Governor of Ohio. The true cause of this irritable sensitireness 
is easily understood. Those who indulge it are conscious that they lio 
longer feel, as they once felt, towards the protection of our industry. If 
not entirely abandoned, it has become a secondary object of their attach¬ 
ment; an object which they are wdlling to jeopardize to promote one, 
which is to them, in their present state of feelin.^, of paramount consid¬ 
eration. To put down the present Executive and to make Gen. Jack- 
son President, they are wdlling to hazard every thing. 

We deem it unnecessary to urge the deep interest which every mart^ . 
in Ohio, and in the nation, should take in encouraging our own industry. 
It is now certain that, in times of peace among the nations of the earth, 
no foreign market can be found for the flour, beef, pork and other arti¬ 
cles, which constitute the farmer’s only means of wealth. This mark¬ 
et must be created at home, by diverting a part of our labour from cul¬ 
tivating the soil, to manufacturing 4he articles necessary for our con¬ 
sumption. Our brethren of the South, to whom, as yet, a foreign market 
remains fortheir cotton and their rice, regard the policy we wish adopt¬ 
ed as deeply injurious to them. And, until the difference of opinion and 
the exertions for predominance are at an end, sound policy forbids us 
to unite wdth them in the election of a President. They insist that what 
we deem our interest is adverse to theirs, and, with an open manliness 
that characterizes all their movements, they let us know that they will 
defeat us if they can. Pieposing upon their own union, and relying u{> 
on their power to make a diversion amongst us, ^they have resolved to 
stand to their and given us notice of their resolution. Whilst 

we deem them in error, we have no right to impeach their motives.— 
But the position they have assumed renders it doubly necessary that 
we should be vigilant'and active, more especially, as a respectable num¬ 
ber of our fellow-citizens of Ohio have united themselves to the stand¬ 
ard of our adversary, in the contest. ' 


i 


15 


Our ofigtlial motive for supporting the present Admihistratihn, was a 
belief that it would maintain that policy which we prefer. We could 
not have united in a preference of the same individual for president. 
Had Gen. Jackson been chosen, and had he administered th« govern¬ 
ment as it has been administered, if we know ourselves, we can safely 
say he would have had our support. To support him now, jn opposi¬ 
tion to one whose public measures we approve, would be an act of in¬ 
justice to a faithful, public servant, who should not lightly be ej^changed 
for a new one, of no superior pretensions to talents or to patriotism. 

We have said nothing of the defects of character or deficiency of 
qualifioations which it is supposed nsiay be fairly objected against the 
opposing candidate. We hold it unnecessary to discuss these matters. 
It is sufficient for us, that the Government is now conducted upon safe 
principles, and that as men and as statesmen, those who conduct it are 
entitled to a continuance of our confidence. Did we suppose that their 
principal claim to support rested, not upon their own merits, hut upon 
the incapacity and unfitness of the opposition candidate, we should not 
engage in their support. We hope never to press a Chief Magistrate 
upon the nation, whose highest recommendation is, that through him, 
we may accomplish the destruction of men, his equals at least, in tah 
eats, worth and public services. It is upon the broad ground that all is 
well, all is safe; and that, in such circumstances,change may injure, but 
cannot improve our condition, that wq recommend the re-electon of Mr 
Adams, as President of the United States. 

If it he the object of the opposition to change the policy of the coun¬ 
try, should they obtain the direction of its affairs, we regard their sue- 
cess as a momentous evil to the nation at large, and to our division of it 
in particular. To avert such a state of things, it is our duty to make 
all possible exertions. And we are persuaded that no citizen of Ohio, 
vCho believed that such a change was contemplated, would vote against 
the Administration. If no change of measures be contemplated, then 
we submit to the serious consideration of every candid man, whether in¬ 
dividual preference alone can justify the wide waste of feeding and of 
character, which the opposition has produced. It is impossible to esti¬ 
mate how much bitterness has been thrown into society; how much es¬ 
trangement has been created amongst friends; how much pujblic useful¬ 
ness has been cast into perverted courses; what heats, strifes and de 
moralizing doctrines, have been diffused into the public mfnd, by the 
contest. And gan this be allowed and countenanced, for no better cause, 
than that the friends of Gen. Jackson are determined to make him Pre¬ 
sident? However strongly a regard for the public interest should im¬ 
pel us to oppose his success, in the apprehension that a change of policy 
would follow, higher and stronger motives require us to defeat the ob¬ 
ject, if it be his personal promotion alone. If such a clairp, aided by 
the means that have been employed in this instance, be once permitted 
to succeed, the hopes of our country are gone forever. The prize is 
too high not to be sought, at every election, by some bold and adven¬ 
turous spirit, around whom the possibility of success cannot fail to rally a 
formidable host. It must be a rare occurrence if any Administration as 



not obnoxious to as inucli just censure as the present one. Few can ex 
pect to coniluct the Government under more prosperous circumstances, 
it can seldom happen that better talent, or intepjrity more unquestiona-v 
ble, will be called to administer it. If, with all these advantages, it can 
be [irostrated in a contest for individual preference, no bad man, of mod-' 
erate capacity, need despair of effecting its destruction. A succession 
of assaults upon the Executive department, the ouls banded together to 
put down the inns, may be expected, until the people, wearied with vio¬ 
lent, unmeaning and malignant contests, shall be glad to take refuge 
and obtain peace in the calm of despotism. So all republics have ter¬ 
minated, Ambitious, rather than wicked men, created factious; factions 
introduced distractions, distrust and animosites; liberty became worth¬ 
less and irksome, and was thrown away as a delusive cheat and paltry 
bauble. The defeat of the present combination canhot but discourage, 
fora long period of time, others of a similar character. Hence, whatev~ 
er of interest or of patriotism usually stimulate men to exertion, in a pub¬ 
lic cause, unite in demanding of us an untiring and unwavering activity 
upon the present occasion. The duration of our institutions may de¬ 
pend upon the efforts of a single man; and none can know that his indi¬ 
vidual remissness may not be the occasion of his country’s ruin. We 
therefore call upon every citizen to perform the great duties whi#h his 
connection with our free institutions imposes upon him: reminding all 
that labour and watchfulness are the conditions, by which every good, in 
this world, is acquired and retained. 


Col. Robinson, from the Committee on the subject of nominating cam 
dfidates for Electors,&:c. reported as follows: 

The Committee appointed to report to the Convention the names of 
certain persons to be supported as candidates for Electors, at the next 
election of Electors, who would vote for John Q,. Adams, President of 
the United States, have had that subject under consideration, and ask 
leav^e respectfully to Report: That they would recommend to this 
Convention the names oi' Jeremiah Morrow, of Warren county, and Peter 
liitchcf^ek of Geauga county, and 


$d 

do. 

3d 

do. 

4th 

do. 

5th 

do. 

6th 

do. 

7 th 

do. 

8th 

do. 

9th 

do. 

10th 

do. 

"ilth 

do. 

12th 

do. 


James M'’Bride, of Butler county. 

Joseph C. Hawkins, of Preble county, 
Benjamin Whiteman, of Green county. 
John Smith, of Highland county. 
Duncan McArthur, of Ross county, 
William KendaU, of Scioto county. 
Ralph Osborn, of Franklin county. 

Isaac Van Horn,, of Muskingum county, 
John Patterson, of Belmont county. 

John Laughlin, of Jefferson county. 
William Fogle, of Stark county. 


17 


13th do. ..^aron T-TAce/er, of Ashtabula county. 

14th do. jB6enerer Lane, of Huron county. 

The Report of the Committee was read, considered, and unanimously 
adopted. 

On motion of William D. Jones, of Butler county, it was 

Resolved, That a Committee of fourteen persons be appointed by the 
Chairman, to be called the Central Committee of the State of Ohio, 
wz.t«e duty it shall be to correspond with like Committees in other 
States, to fix on some fit person to be supported for Vice President of the 
United States; and that said Committee have power to fill any vacancy 
which may occur in the list of candidates for Electors. 

Whereupon, the Chairman appointed a committee for these purposes, 
consisting of Gustavus Swan, D. K. Este, George J. Smith, George B, 
Holt, William R. Putnam, Samuel Wheeler, Alexander Grimes, Bellamy 
Storer, Thomas Ewing, John Johnston, Joel Collins, Thomas Weston, 
James W. Lathrop, and Thomas Gatch. 

Onmotion of Mr Storer, 

Resolved, That ten thousand copies of the proceedings of this Con¬ 
vention be printed, (two thousand copies of which shall be in the Ger¬ 
man language) and distributed at the expense of the Convention. 

On motion of S. W, Davies, of Hamilton county, 

Resolved, That the printers of newspapers throughout the State, be 
respectfully requested to publish the proceedings of this Convention. 

The Convention then on motion adjourned. 

JEREMIAH MORROW Chairman, 


William Doherty,? 
Thomas Corwin, ) 


Secretaries. 


Note —Every organized county in the State was represented in the 
Convention, except two—the other counties, not represented, are unor 
ganized and contain few inhabitants. 


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